Rumor: Amazon's French and German sites suggest new Apple TV coming Oct. 23

Amazon's online storefronts in France and Germany on Thursday showed sudden unavailability of the current generation Apple TV, instead noting the device will be "available from Oct. 23," hinting that a revamped version of the set-top streamer may soon be released.

While not hard evidence of an Apple TV revamp, Amazon's notice of availability (viaiFun.de) is in line with recent rumors that claim a next-generation version of the device will be unveiled in the near future.

Instead of being marked as "no longer available" or "pre-order," as other out of stock or upcoming products sold directly by Amazon, the company's French and German sites show current third-generation Apple TV will be available from Oct. 23. Amazon's other European website, which serves the UK and Ireland, as well as its Japan and U.S. stores, still have units in stock. The Online Apple Store also has full availability in Europe, though it is unlikely that Apple would tip its hand ahead of a new product launch.

It should be noted, however, that Amazon is not "leaking" a new model Apple TV. The company's French website, for example, advertises the product with the model number "MD199FD/A," which is correct for the current European version of the device. While mere speculation, the Oct. 23 date could mean the online sales giant simply sold through existing stock and is awaiting a new shipment. Alternatively, the company could be putting a hold on Apple TV sales ahead of a special Apple event planned for Oct. 22.

Earlier this week, Apple sent out invitations to a media event scheduled to take place at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, where the company is widely expected to reveal a fifth-generation iPad and second-generation iPad mini.

Also anticipated is a release of the latest Mac operating system, OS X 10.9 Mavericks, the final version of which was recently seeded to developers. Some speculate that Apple will take the opportunity to finally debut its newly redesigned Mac Pro, to be followed by a Nov. 15 ship-by date.